The newspaper was recognized for general excellence in business coverage among newspapers with a circulation of under 200,000, based on its business coverage in 2010. The Patriot Ledger also won this award two years ago.

The other papers in the Ledger’s circulation class to be recognized in this category for business coverage in 2010 were the Arizona Daily Star, The Times-Tribune of Scranton, Pa., The Detroit News, The Des Moines Register and The Hartford Courant.

Business editor Jon Chesto’s “Mass. Market” blog, at www.massmarketblog.com, also was recognized as the best business blog produced by the staff at a newspaper with a circulation of under 100,000. Chesto has been business editor at The Patriot Ledger since 2004.

Before joining the Ledger, Chesto worked as a business reporter at the Boston Herald and a government reporter for Dow Jones’ community newspaper group. His weekly Mass. Market column has previously won three Best in Business awards from the Society of American Business Editors and Writers.

The business staff at the Ledger consists of Chesto, reporter Steve Adams and an intern reporter. Stories written by general assignment reporters frequently appear as well.

SABEW received 904 entries this year for its Best in Business contest, a record number for the world’s largest association of business journalists. There were about 200 winners in various categories and circulation classes. The winners will be honored on April 9 at SABEW’s annual meeting in Dallas.